DBT skills groups for Veterans at high risk of suicide
A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Multisite Trial of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group for Veterans at High-Risk for Suicide Attempt
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · NIH-11222649
This program offers group-based dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training for Veterans at high risk of suicide to help reduce suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (WEST HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11222649 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a group-delivered DBT skills program that teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. The project runs at multiple VA sites and enrolls Veterans identified as high suicide risk, using VA risk-identification processes like REACH VET. Researchers will compare outcomes such as suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, and emotion regulation while also studying how clinics put the groups into practice and what helps or gets in the way of offering them widely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Veterans receiving care at participating VA medical centers who are identified as high risk for suicide and who can attend group psychotherapy are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Veterans with low suicide risk, those who cannot attend group sessions, or those who require more intensive individual DBT or inpatient care may not benefit from this group-based program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower suicide attempts and improve emotion regulation for high-risk Veterans and help make DBT skills groups more available across VA clinics.
How similar studies have performed: Previous VA and non-VA studies of DBT skills groups have shown reduced suicidal ideation and better emotion regulation, and some non-VA trials matched full DBT in lowering attempts, though multisite implementation across VA settings is less tested.
Where this research is happening
WEST HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM — WEST HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DECKER, SUZANNE ELIZABETH — VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- Study coordinator: DECKER, SUZANNE ELIZABETH
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.